One of my goals for 2016 is to complete some major de-cluttering tasks and reorganize the possessions in our home in a much simpler way. After watching a few episodes of “Hoarders: Buried Alive” on TV, I’m convinced that I do NOT want to allow our home to get anywhere close to any of those homes! I also don’t want to leave a mess behind some day for my children to have to sort through (as my siblings and our families did after my parents passed away). Plus, since we plan to move in 2017, de-cluttering and organizing NOW will make that move much easier. I have already noticed that the more clutter I get rid of and the more organized I become, the happier and more peaceful I feel.

It doesn’t have to be big and it doesn’t have to be expensive. And you can always do it on your own, too.

By living, and truly experiencing life, we feel more whole, fulfilled and authentic.

So, experience – don’t hoard – and you will be happy.” — Karl Moore

“When you’re curious,

you find lots of interesting things to do.”

– Walt Disney

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My reflections:

Like I said at the beginning of this post, I’ve already realized the truth of this rule: living and experiencing life, unencumbered by excess possessions and clutter, does in fact facilitate greater degrees of happiness and fulfillment.

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So what are YOUR thoughts?

Do you have a tidy home, free of clutter, or do you struggle with having too many things in too little space?

Have you ever watched that “hoarding” show? Do you know anyone who struggles with hoarding?

I’m trying to do more of this myself as we work to transition out of this old house and into something more age accommodating. I find myself tossing those trinkets we picked up during various trips, things we thought we’d need to remember but only collect dust. Clean house and no clutter makes grandma a happy girl.

I moved house 4 years ago and threw away so much that I’d accumulated over the 20 years I lived there. I also packed masses of boxes of stuff, intending to sell some and give some away. 3 years later I finally gave it all away.

My cupboards and wardrobes are still overflowing but I do like clutter free rooms. I don’t always succeed! One of the spare bedrooms became a dumping ground. I got round to tidying it out this week and it does feel good.

Last month or so have been clearing a family house after a death. She died with four pets in the house. We spent a month going through the worse, smelly, cluttered mess. The woman we hired and paid to watch the empty house, mow the lawn, and collect any mail (we did change the mail address but some always comes) went in and emptied the house. She claimed she hauled everything inside to the dump. We had wrapped valuables, two complete sets of china for twelve, silverware, jewelry, framed needlework, several pieces of valuable furniture still to move, and every family picture for his sister and the last three generations. It’s all gone. As devastated as we felt – at least we don’t have any new clutter.

“Investing in experiences rather than material goods creates greater lasting happiness. I TOTALLY agree with this, but need to implement it more frequently. As to clutter….I declutter constantly, but my husband is a total pack rat and constantly brings stuff into my home and yard. It was pretty bad and I moved out of our room as I was feeling physically I’ll looking at his boxes of junk. Well, he snores too and I could not sleep.
I also find that people give us stuff constantly, some of it valuable. Maybe I need to get a table at a flea market and benefit from some of this stuff. Lol, I have to laugh least I loose my composure and mind.

K-Lee, you are so singing my song! At one time, I lived in a large 2-bedroom tower condo that had amazing storage. So I kept everything yet the place always looked neat. For a YEAR before I moved, I donated/shared/sold things every week! Finally, my last week, I had a “condo sale”, taping bright signs on the elevators, and promptly made $700. What a gift that you know in advance that you’ll be moving! Thanks for this series. Blessings!

I have lived in the same house for over 30 years and I’m afraid a lot of stuff has accumulated. Every so often my sons throw some of it away and think I don’t notice 🙂

I am starting to de-clutter – one of the most difficult ones was five large boxes of books. But the whole house felt lighter once they had gone, Only this week my son took two bin-bags of confidential papers away to burn for me.

I guess you’re right about experiences – but somehow they seem fleeting 🙂

I have clutter, including clutter from my mother in law’s downsizing (some of which we ended up keeping in a spare room, and in our garage). Meanwhile, I find I have emotional attachments to a lot of my stuff. I am far from alone. I took a “decluttering” class put on by the local Office of Aging and it was a full house. We had so many of the same issues. They now have formed a support group. Unfortunately, it meets during the day, when I am working. I should be decluttering now instead of blogging, lol.

I am doing a major decluttering every month in my household. last month I was able to clear the backyard shed out. Plus, a bunch of stuff from ex roommates that went to prison. I need to declutter the living room closet and the teens room. If I can get to them.